Finding Aid for the Abolish Cross-Filing in California records
0225
Finding aid prepared by Rebecca Hirsch
The processing of this collection and the creation of this finding aid was funded by the generous support of the National
Historic Publications and Records Commission.
USC Libraries Special Collections
Doheny Memorial Library 206
3550 Trousdale Parkway
Los Angeles, California, 90089-0189
213-740-5900
specol@usc.edu
2009
Title: Abolish Cross-Filing in California records
Collection number: 0225
Contributing Institution:
USC Libraries Special Collections
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
8.5 Linear feet
8 boxes
Date (bulk): Bulk, 1950-1953
Date (inclusive): 1941-1960
Abstract: This collection contains the records of the group formed by John B. Elliott to abolish the practice of cross-filing in California
(Abolish Cross-Filing in California). Cross-filing is a practice that permits candidates for political office to register
in multiple parties for primary elections. If a candidate then wins nominations from multiple parties, they run with less
(or no) competition in the fall election. The records present in this collection include filing vouchers, correspondence,
clippings, subject files, cancelled checks, and financial information. The proposition to abolish cross-filing passed in 1952.
creator:
Abolish Cross-Filing in California.
Acquisition
The Abolish Cross-Filing in California records were donated to USC by John C. Elliott in 1968.
Historical Note
Cross-filing is the practice that allows candidates for political office to register as candidates in multiple parties in
primary elections. If a candidate wins nominations from multiple parties, then they run with less (or no) competition in the
fall election. Cross-filing was perceived to be an instrument of the corrupt lobbyist and political-boss controlled political
system in California. John B. Elliott (1878-1967) spearheaded the movement to put a proposition on the 1952 ballot that would
elminate cross-filing. Elliott, a journalist who had served as the Southern California chairman of Woodrow Wilson's and Franklin
Delano Roosevelt's first presidential campaigns, was also the president of the Jameson Petroleum Company. His efforts to elimate
cross-filing were successful, and the proposition on the 1952 ballot (Proposition #13) passed.
Arrangement
The Abolish Cross-Filing in California records consist of subject files arranged by size (either letter or legal) and then
in alphabetical order. Boxes 1-6 contain letter-size files; boxes 7 and 8 contain legal ones.
Scope and Content
This collection contains the records of the group formed by John B. Elliott to abolish the practice of cross-filing in California
(Abolish Cross-Filing in California). Records include filing vouchers, correspondence, clippings, subject files, cancelled
checks, and financial information. Also included are 4 printing blocks, 1 printing plate, and 10 purple paper reverse images
of illustrations from the publication "Vote 'Yes' on #13," published by Abolish Cross-Filing in California.
Conditions Governing Use
The collection contains published articles; researchers are reminded of the copyright restrictions imposed by publishers on
reusing their articles and parts of books. It is the responsibility of researchers to acquire permission from publishers when
reusing such materials. The copyright to unpublished materials belongs to the heirs of the writers. Permission to publish,
quote, or reproduce must be secured from the repository and the copyright holder.
Conditions Governing Access
COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE: Advance notice required for access. Consult finding aid for additional information.
Preferred Citation
[Box/folder# or item name], Abolish Cross-Filing in California records, Collection no. 225, Special Collections, USC Libraries,
University of Southern California.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Abolish Cross-Filing in California. -- Archives
Elliott, John B., 1878-1967 -- Archives
Clippings
Correspondence
Elections--California--Archival resources
Financial records
Legal instruments
Political parties--Law and legislation--California--Archival resources
Printed ephemera
Box 1
Abolish Cross-Filing to Corruption
Box 2
County Leaders on Abolish Cross-Filing to Ford, John Anson
Box 3
Fox Printing Company to Legislation-Direct Definition
Box 4
Legislative Bills to Petition Lists - George McLain & John Ford
Box 5
Petition Idea to Source Material (Reference)
Box 6
Sparkman, John to Warren, Earl (Clippings)
Box 6
Documentary Film on Abolish Cross-Filing in California, by Robert Eugene Burke
Box 7
Abolish Cross-Filing Clippings to Filing Vouchers & Miscellaneous (legal-size)
Box 8
File Copies to Taxability of Contributions (legal-size)
Box 8
Box of printing blocks and printing plate for "Vote 'Yes' on #13"
